Felony Hit and Run Death.
Whenever a collision has occurred, in which an individual has been killed, should the driver leave the scene of the accident, they may be charged with Hit and Run Death. The Hit and Run Death statute reads as follows:
(1) Any driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury to or death of any person or involving striking the body of a deceased person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every event remain at, the scene of such accident until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (3) of this section; every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
(3) Unless otherwise provided in subsection (7) of this section the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person, or involving striking the body of a deceased person, or resulting in damage to any vehicle which is driven or attended by any person or damage to other property shall give his or her name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number and shall exhibit his or her vehicle driver's license to any person struck or injured or the driver or any occupant of, or any person attending, any such vehicle collided with and shall render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying or the making of arrangements for the carrying of such person to a physician or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such carrying is requested by the injured person or on his or her behalf. Under no circumstances shall the rendering of assistance or other compliance with the provisions of this subsection be evidence of the liability of any driver for such accident.
(4) Any driver covered by the provisions of subsection (1) of this section failing to stop or comply with any of the requirements of subsection (3) of this section in the case of an accident resulting in death is guilty of a class B felony and, upon conviction, is punishable according to chapter RCW 9A.20.
(7) If none of the persons specified are in condition to receive the information to which they otherwise would be entitled under subsection (3) of this section, and no police officer is present, the driver of any vehicle involved in such accident after fulfilling all other requirements of subsections (1) and (3) of this section insofar as possible on his or her part to be performed, shall forthwith report such accident to the nearest office of the duly authorized police authority and submit thereto the information specified in subsection (3) of this section.
Class B felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Hit and Run Death is a Level VI offense and a person convicted faces a minimum of 31 months in prison. RCW 9.94A.515. Often these charges accompany other serious traffic offenses thus complicating matters even more. Early independent investigation is critical to having any chance to mount a defense. Witness interviews, officer interviews and accident reconstruction is almost always necessary. Don't leave your defense to just anyone. Don't rely on an attorney who handles "all traffic matters." Rely on someone with the experience, the qualifications and the credentials to assist you.